Summer 2001, Long Island, NY
Skydiving was something that I always wanted to do, and when I finally did, I wasn't disappointed. I will certainly do it again sometime - free falling is an incredible experience, but you have to try it to really understand it. And if you think it's similar to a roller coaster... it's not - it's completely different. The roller coaster will feel more extreme in terms of raw Gs, but you'll feel much safer because you're fastened to the car you're riding in, you don't see the ground some 4 Km below you, and you haven't just witnessed your friends disappearing under the belly of the airplane in a FLASH!
If you're the type that asks himself why would people want to jump from a perfectly good airplane, then give it up. It's not for you. But if you are at least curious, then give it a try, you won't regret it.
We jumped in tandem on a beautiful day from an altitude of about 4 Km and the free fall speed was somewhere between 160 and 200 km/h (or so I've been told). The wind was so strong that the skin on my hands and face was waving as if it was just a piece of cloth. We landed safely on the grass strip next to the runaway.
Summer 2003, Providence, RI
Second jump, just as good as the first one. This time we jumped with Skydive New England. Hopefully the next time I'll jump by myself (and make it)... :-)
Being our first time - my good friend Raluca (see RA Entertainment) organized the trip - we thought having somebody take pictures and record the jump on video was a good idea.
Long Island Skydive gave us the movies on VHS tape. Irina Mihu was kind enough to spend some time and convert mine to MPEG, so that I can make it available online. Beware that the file is about 40 Mb.